Prepared Response lands cash to digitize disaster plans |
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Prepared Response lands cash to digitize disaster plans
Ten years after the tragedy at Columbine, Seattle's Prepared Response is going strong. The 45-person company -- formed shortly after the school shootings as a new way to centralize disaster plans for police officers, paramedics and other emergency personnel -- has landed $5 million of an $8 million venture round, said CEO Jim Finnell.
The round has yet to close and Finnell is hopeful that he'll be able to pull in the rest of the money, which was provided largely through angel investors. He said the business is growing, with more than 100 school districts, hospitals and public transportation agencies using the technology.
"We still have opportunities, even in this economy," said Finnell.
And more might be on the way. Given that Prepared Response's technology can be used to better coordinate first responders after disasters, Finnell said the company could be a strong candidate to score some federal stimulus money. At this point, he said it is too early to know.
"We are watching it closely," he said.
Prepared Response's technology has been deployed throughout the Washington state school system, with detailed maps and drawings of each K-12 school.
While schools still make up a major market for the company, Finnell also said they are seeing opportunities around hospitals, seaports and sports stadiums. Corporate clients also are using the system to create an organized disaster plan, he said.
The technology -- which Finnell said basically replaces "three ring binders" -- has been deployed in emergencies such as a school shooting incident in Spokane and flooding in Lewis County.
Even though the business is growing, Finnell said the company plans to keep headcount steady at 45 employees. "We are sitting tight," he said.
Benaroya Capital participated in the venture round, with Finnell saying that the money came relatively easy compared to what he's hearing from other entrepreneurs in town.
"Our investor group is passionate and supportive of what we are doing," he said.
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